Primary finding
Probable cause
The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. Factors were the pilot's inability to initiate a flare due to the fracture of the yoke assembly, and the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
A pilot on a cross country flight experienced a loss of engine power during cruise flight. On short final to the field the pilot selected for the forced landing, the pilot's yoke broke on the pilot's hand and the airplane touched down in a nose down attitude. The nose gear collapsed and the right wing and fuselage sustained structural damage. The reasons for the loss of engine power and the fracture of the yoke assembly could not be determined.
Source record
Factual narrative
On September 7, 1995, at 1000 central daylight time, a Cessna 172D, N2519U, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Prim, Arkansas. The commercial pilot and his passenger were not injured. The airplane was being operated as a personal flight under 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated at North Little Rock (IMI), Arkansas, at 0920 CDT. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the cross country flight for which a flight plan was not filed. According to the pilot, the airplane was in cruise flight en route to Calico Rock, Arkansas, when the engine started to loose power. After the pilot completed his emergency procedures and selected a field, the engine lost all power. The pilot further stated that on short final "the control wheel (yoke) broke off in my hand" and the airplane touched down "in a 10 to 20 degree nose down attitude." The nose gear collapsed and the engine mount was damaged during touchdown. The right wing and the underside of the fuselage also sustained structural damage. The reason for the complete loss of engine power and the fracture of the yoke assembly could not be determined. -